Mapping the Magnetic Media Landscape

A study of the state of magnetic media preservation in the United States.

The purpose of this survey is to develop an expansive, data-driven understanding of the field of analog audiovisual media digitization and conservation in the United States. The resulting data will be used to identify and respond to our greatest challenges in the changing field of audiovisual preservation. Upon the conclusion of the survey and its evaluation, participants will receive a media toolkit and resources guide that synthesizes and interprets the study’s findings.

The survey asks questions about:

  • Your role
  • The archive you work with and its audience
  • The training you and your colleagues have
  • Your organization’s digitization workflows and policies

Share your perspective here →

Participants also receive access to free training in audiovisual preservation and project toolkit to support advocacy for endangered collections.

FAQs

Who is eligible to take part in this survey? 

Any representative of an organization that — is knowledgeable of or responsible for the care and preservation of analog av material, and has been chosen by the organization to gather survey data and respond.

Why was I contacted for this survey?

We have invited many individuals and organizations to participate in the study that have been recommended to us through our community-based advisory committee! We would love to hear from you! 

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Why should I take the survey?

Your input is critical to understanding the challenges and success in magnetic media throughout the US. When combined with the input of other organizations, it tells us where communities and organizations are in their goal to preserve unique audiovisual assets. It helps us to identify where training and support is needed.

Participants also receive access to free training in audiovisual preservation and project toolkit to support advocacy for endangered collections!

Where can I find a copy of the questions? 

You can download a PDF of the survey questions HERE to share with collaborators and prepare your answers.

Where can I find a guide to magnetic media formats? 

Please see CA Revealed’s format guide for more information

Who is conducting this survey?

BAVC Media is a community hub and resource for media makers in the Bay Area. As one of the nation’s longest-standing non-profit video and audio preservation organizations, BAVC Media remains a leader in the field, developing the highest quality preservation standards and practices while working with individuals and cultural, academic, and media organizations to meet a range of needs for preserving historically and artistically important video and audio materials.

Who is funding this survey?

The survey is being made possible through generous support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

What will happen with the information?

Upon the conclusion of the survey and its evaluation, participants will receive a participant package with a media toolkit and resource guide. Results of the survey will also be made public in a final report.

What are you doing to ensure confidentiality and security of the data you collect?

The information in this survey will be used only for research purposes and in ways that will not reveal who you are. You will not be identified in any publication from this study unless we reach out for additional consent. We will share some of the data we collect with qualified individuals for research purposes. Personally identifying information (PII), such as your name, can only be accessed for the study’s research purposes by the project team and authorized personnel associated with the project, on a need-to-know basis.

The answers you provide will be collected and stored in Typeform, an online form and survey software platform. Typeform is committed to complying with international regulations and privacy frameworks including GDPR and ISO 27001. In their privacy policy they state, “…the security of the data you collect with our service is of the utmost importance. We have built our services with confidentiality, integrity, and availability as the pillars around our data processing practices.”

What are the next steps?

Use this link to complete the survey! You can also download a PDF of the questions here for reference.

Who should I contact if I have questions or need accommodations? 

All inquiries should be directed to Kelli Hix, BAVC Media’s Co-Director of Audiovisual Preservation at kellishay@gmail.com

The Typeform software is compatible with screen readers and Typeform’s default, full-screen respondent experience is WCAG 2.1, Level AA compliant.